Silhouette Portrait vs. Curio

In the following article, we’ll discuss the comparisons of Silhouette Portrait vs Curio. These two models are among the best-selling cutting machines on the market, and they generally receive positive reviews from the users. However, Silhouette Portrait is a budget-friendly entry-level model, whereas Silhouette Curio is sold at a higher price point. Obviously, the price gap means that there are feature differences between these two cutting machines. Continue reading below to see the differences and to determine the most suitable model for you.

About Silhouette Portrait
Silhouette Portrait is a budget-friendly model that is suitable for beginners and those who are new in the craft-cutting world. It is affordable and the design is compact. It is also very simple to operate. It does one job, cutting, and it does the job very well. There is no need to confuse a beginner with advanced features that they may or may not need.

Silhouette Portrait is able to cut materials up to 8” x 12” (20.3 cm x 30.5 cm). However, for lined media, the maximum size is 8” x 10’ (20.3 cm x 3 m). So, you can use this model for cutting paper rolls as well. It can handle more than a hundred types of materials, and the 210 gf cutting force is powerful enough to cut materials like vinyl and cardstock. The maximum media thickness that can be inserted into the machine is 0.8 mm. It connects to the computer via USB 2.0.

Silhouette Portrait comes with the free Silhouette Studio software and 50 exclusive digital designs. You can purchase additional designs. However, as an entry-level model, it has its limitations. The calibration and alignment aren’t very accurate, and you may want to use the guidelines on the right side of the mat to slow down the speed. It is not accurate enough for large and intricate designs.

About Silhouette Curio
Silhouette Portrait vs Curio are two quite different things because the Curio is actually designed to be a companion for another cutting machine. It can perform a number of things that the Portrait can’t.

Besides cutting and drawing, Silhouette Curio is also able to emboss, deboss, stipple, and etch. The additional capabilities make it very versatile. It allows you to be much more creative with your projects. In addition, it has a dual carriage system that can cut-and-score or cut-and-draw at once. It is more powerful, as it can handle materials up to 2 mm thick. It can cut various materials, and you can also purchase the DeepCut blade if you need the deep cut capability.

However, the maximum cutting size is only 8.5” x 6”. You can purchase the large tray if you need to increase the maximum cutting size to 8.5” x 12”. This model may require you to purchase a number of accessories in order to fully unfold its capabilities.

Conclusion
You can choose Silhouette Portrait if you really need the ability to cut 8.5” x 10’ lined media. If not, Silhouette Curio is the way to go. It is more powerful and versatile. It can handle thicker and more durable materials, and it is also able to perform a number of things including embossing, debossing, stippling, and etching.

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